China warns against space arms race, urges equal rights for all in outer space

China has issued a position paper on outer space governance, emphasizing the importance of preventing weaponisation and advocating for a global framework to protect the legitimate rights of all nations beyond Earth. Foreign Minister Wang Yi presented the document, titled "China’s Stance on Enhancing Outer Space Governance," as one of eight key actions under Beijing’s Global Governance Initiative (GGI).

The GGI, proposed by President Xi Jinping, aims to establish a comprehensive global governance system, reflecting the principle of broad participation and ensuring benefits for all countries.

Wang urged that the rules of outer space governance should keep pace with exploration, promote broad participation, and generate benefits for all nations. The paper was released by state news agency Xinhua and comes in the wake of US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink's confirmation that the Pentagon had deployed weapons in space. China has consistently argued that new frontiers such as the deep sea, polar regions, cyberspace, and outer space require urgent global rule-making, as current regulatory frameworks have fallen behind human activity.

The position paper highlighted the growing threats and challenges to outer space security, including the risk of an arms race and increasing weaponisation. It stressed the need to safeguard the space rights of all countries and uphold the international rule of law in outer space. Beijing opposes space activities that threaten other nations' sovereignty, security, or development interests, calling for mutual respect regarding every state's space assets, missions, and personnel.

The paper specifically warned against unilateral sanctions imposed on other nations' space activities and emphasized the importance of adhering to peaceful purposes, opposing weaponisation, and preventing any country from misusing domestic laws to obstruct or impose sanctions on other nations' space activities.

China's stance on outer space governance comes amid growing concerns over security and legal aspects. The paper reiterated China's opposition to turning outer space into a battlefield or weaponising it. To prevent military conflict, it called for a ban on offensive space doctrines and efforts to avert an arms race. In terms of commercial space regulation, the paper emphasized stringent oversight of private ventures, urging companies to comply with domestic and international law without infringing upon the rights of other nations, especially in the context of armed conflicts or internal affairs.

The Global Governance Initiative, proposed by Xi Jinping in 2025 as a pillar of China's foreign policy framework, advocates for a UN-centric international order and greater representation for the Global South, aiming to address governance deficits as traditional multilateral mechanisms face increasing strain.